Bunnell Gold Bug weight

Sunday, May 13, 2012 — I’ve had a request for dimensions for the weight that is used with the famous (infamous?) Bunnell Gold Bug.

The Gold Bug was a 1920’s key designed to get around Vibroplex patents on its vibrating lever design.  CORRECTION. My mind is getting fuzzy on facts as I age, so let me set the record straight — The Gold Bug was designed after Horace G. Martin’s Vibroplex patents expired, so the key did not violate any existing patents. While my example of the Gold Bug does seem to preload the keying lever and it releases this tension when  you move the keying lever to make dots, from what I’ve read from the key authorities, the key was designed to operate more like the Vibroplex than not. Interestingly, Bunnell had a bug similar to the Gold Bug that it sold before the Gold Bug that featured a design that DID release tension to create dits. Very few were made, and I have only seen photos of one.

Collectors say the Gold Bug and its predecessor both suffered from mushy feel. Perhaps at railroad telegraphy speeds, hi!

The weight (pictured below) is unique. For starters, the weight bottom is shaped like a “U” channel; this keeps the weight secure on the end of the Gold Bug vibrating rod. The “U” shaped track keeps the weight riding on top, it can’t shift left or right.

The oblong slot in the track allows adjustment forward and backward. The weight does not weigh a great deal; if I were making a replacement, I would make two — a replica of the original, and then a second one with a much longer track (and perhaps somewhat larger and heavier) to allow me to slow the key down.

The Gold Bug is not known as a stellar design or good performer anyway. It has a very different feel, that’s certain.

I shot this photos and meant to also give some measurements; however I was unable to find my micrometer or anything else to offer decent measurements. I’ll find something to get some measurements with and post those as soon as I find a measuring stick.

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